The Dark Divide

by Jennifer Fallon

  ‘I have no doubt your client has issues, Mr Gallagher,’ the judge said, closing the file on her desk. ‘But one sees offenders with issues every day of the week, and there are plenty of young men out there with issues who don’t feel the need to deal with them by kidnapping and murder. My hands are tied in any case. You client is pleading guilty to conspiracy to murder. I am compelled to impose a mandatory life sentence …’

  Ciarán closed his eyes, letting the judge’s voice fade into the background as she detailed the rest of his sentence, which didn’t matter anyway, because Darragh had just been sentenced to life imprisonment.

  He opened his eyes and looked at Darragh. The young man was listening attentively to the judge, but didn’t seem concerned. He believes we’ll come for him, Ciarán realised.

  And he knows if he is alive, Rónán is alive out there somewhere, too.

  It would take some doing, to extract Darragh from this mess, Ciarán decided. They’d broken Rónán out of the Garda cells the first time, but that wasn’t as heavily guarded as a maximum-security prison. To make matters worse, this whole realm felt like it was under siege at the moment. Springing Darragh from his current predicament was going to take more knowledge of this realm than Ciarán owned.

  He couldn’t do it alone.

  I need Rónán, Ciarán said to himself. I need his knowledge of this world. I need to find him, bring him back to this realm, bust Darragh out of prison and then take both boys home together.

  Then they could deal with the Matrarchaí, Jamaspa, Marcroy Tarth, Colmán, Álmhath and the fallout from the superseded Undivided still being alive and well, when by all that was right and holy, they should be dead.

  Ciarán looked at Darragh again, hoping … willing him this time … to turn around and look at him — to meet his eye, recognise his old mentor and friend and know that someone who cared knew where he was and would do whatever it took to get him home.

  But Darragh stayed stoic and calm as the judge sealed his fate. And even when he was led from the court in shackles to begin his new life behind bars, Darragh held his head high and didn’t look back.

  EPILOGUE

  Tír Na nÓg. Hayley said the words over and over to herself, as she waited for Elimyer to return with her food. She glanced at her wrist, wondering at the time, but in this world she had no wristwatch to mark the passing of the hours. She hadn’t worn her watch since the accident. They’d been talking about giving her a Braille watch at St Christopher’s, but she didn’t need one now.

  Hayley could see, better than ever.

  What she was seeing was still hard to comprehend. This magical place didn’t even exist in her reality. But here she was an honoured guest of the Faerie, about to be served a meal by a real live Faerie princess.

  Hayley glanced around to see who was watching and then pinched herself on the inside of her thigh to check she was awake. The pain made her grimace, but nothing else changed. Tír Na nÓg didn’t vanish in a puff of smoke, to be replaced by her room at St Christopher’s. The magical trees didn’t recede to be replaced by the concrete rendered walls of the rehab facility with its brightly painted décor designed to cheer up the inmates, most of whom were blind, and therefore not able to appreciate the colour scheme, anyway. Hayley thought it odd that she could tell the colour of the walls now. She’d been blind the whole time she was at St Christopher’s. How could she know what the place looked like?

  Perhaps the doctors had been right. Perhaps her eyes had been able to see all this time, and it was her brain that let her down by not interpreting the messages correctly. She smiled, thinking of the shocked reaction she was going to get when she finally arrived home, completely cured and full of tales about being saved by Faeries.

  They’ll think I’ve gone mad.

  ‘Here you are, my dear,’ Elimyer said, as she floated across the wide bough carrying a silver tray of fruit. ‘I hope you like it. These are my daughter’s favourites.’

  Hayley still hadn’t got her head around the idea that this girl was Trása’s mother. It didn’t seem possible. ‘Did Trása grow up here in Tír Na nÓg?’

  Elimyer shook her head, and put the tray down beside Hayley. The fruit was a selection of apples, pomegranates, nectarines, peaches, apricots and strawberries. Each individual fruit was perfect, like the sort they showed in advertisements — flawless and nothing like the specimens available for sale in the shops. ‘No, we lived in Sí an Bhrú until she was almost a woman. I was her father’s muse, for a time. And then they began to worry about her attachment to Darragh so it was decided it might be best to separate them.’

  ‘Why? What’s wrong with Darragh?’ Hayley had only had one brief encounter with Ren’s twin, but he hadn’t seemed so bad.

  ‘Nothing is wrong with him, dear,’ Elimyer said, taking a seat on the bough beside her. ‘Are you a rift runner?’

  ‘I don’t think so. What’s a rift runner?’

  ‘Human and mongrel like my daughter,’ Elimyer said. ‘Funny … I thought that’s how you came from another reality.’

  The idea that there were other versions of her having entirely different lives in an endless number of realities was almost too much for Hayley to comprehend. It was one thing to know about the theoretical possibility of alternate realities, quite another to confront the idea that somewhere out there in another universe, someone was leading her life and maybe even doing it better than she was.

  It might be healthier, Hayley decided, not to dwell on that idea for too long.

  Hayley glanced down and realised the apple she’d selected was gone. She didn’t even remember biting into it.

  ‘Are you settling in?’ Marcroy asked from behind.

  She jumped a little at the unexpected voice and turned to find her Faerie prince standing on the bough behind her. She hadn’t even heard him approach. Hayley smiled up at him, thinking it was criminal to be that handsome and have magical powers to boot.

  ‘You’re back!’ Elimyer announced, quite unnecessarily.

  ‘I have been at Sí an Bhrú,’ he told his sister. ‘The transfer is done.’

  ‘Is it past Lughnasadh already?’

  Lughnasadh? Hayley thought. How can that be? ‘That’s the autumn equinox isn’t it? But that’s weeks away.’ She was quite sure she had been here in Tír Na nÓg for little more than an hour or two.

  Neither Elimyer nor Marcroy answered her question. But she wasn’t bothered. She was well again, she was safe and the Faerie all seemed very friendly. They had healed her blindness, just like Ren said they would.

  I’ll just stay here a little longer, Hayley decided. And then I’ll get Marcroy to open the rift and he can send me home, and I can explain about the mix-up and they’ll have to believe me, because I have proof. I can see.

  Ren and Darragh hadn’t made it through the rift with her. They were back home, probably in a bit of trouble, given all the cops in Dublin were bearing down on them when she stepped through the rift. There were bullets flying around, too, although Marcroy now seemed fully recovered from his brush with a bullet from her realm.

  Ren and Darragh will be fine. A night in gaol wouldn’t hurt them. It certainly wasn’t the first time Ren had spent a night behind bars. Kiva’s lawyer, Eunice Ravenel, would have them out on bail before dawn, knowing how efficient she was.

  I’ll go home tomorrow, Hayley told herself, closing her eyes to appreciate the sublime flavour of the apricot she chose next. And when I get back, I’ll explain everything. After that, life can go back to normal. Like it was back before the accident. Back before Trása arrived in my world and everything went pear-shaped. It’ll be just like none of this ever happened, she thought, smiling up at Marcroy.

  Another day in Tír Na nÓg can’t hurt.

  THE WORLD OF THE FAERIE AND THE UNDIVIDED:

  Proper names are in bold type

  A Mháistir (a MAW ster) Master

  A Mháistreás (a MAW stress) Mistress.

  A Stóirín (ah stor-een) Term o
f endearment. Roughly translates as ‘My love’.

  Aintín (ann-teen) Faerie word for Aunt.

  airgead sídhe (AR-gat Shee) Faerie silver: Fatal to humans.

  Airurundo (air-RU-run-doe) Japanese name for Ireland in the

  ori mahou reality.

  Álmhath (AWL uh va) Queen of the Celts; mother of Torcán; Head of the Matrarchaí.

  Amergin (aw-VEER-een) Vate of All Ireland until his death. Trása’s father.

  an Bhantiarna (on can-teer-na) Lady.

  Aoi (ow-ee) Eldest daughter of the Ikishuma clan.

  Arigatougozaimasu (ah-ree-gah-tou Go-zai-mah-su) Thank you very much.

  Banphrionsa (ban frinsah) Princess.

  Bealtaine (byawltuhnuh) Summer equinox.

  Beansídhe (ban-shee) Faerie with long hair and red eyes due to continuous weeping. Their wailing is a warning of a death in the vicinity.

  Bríghid (breed) Celtish princess. Niece of Brendá. Cousin of Torcán.

  Brionglóid Gorm (bring-load gurm) Roughly translates as ‘Blue Dreams’. Magic powder used by the Druids to induce instant unconsciousness.

  Brithem (bree-them) A Druid judge or an arbitrator. They specialise in lexichemy — magic using the spoken word.

  Broc (brok) Undivided heir.

  Brógán (BRO gawn) Druid healer.

  Brydie Ni’Seanan (BRY dee nee SHAR nan) Celtic princess; niece of Álmhath; cousin of Torcán.

  Cainte (KIN-cha) Master of magical chants and incantations.

  Cairbre (CAR bry eh) Undivided heir

  Chishihero (chee-she-here-oh) Japanese sorceress in charge of the kozo plantation in Dublin. Head magician of the Tanabe Clan.

  Chch (choo-cho) Middle Kingdom. Alternate name in the Ori ori mahou reality for Japan.

  Ciarán (KEER awn) Ciarán mac Connacht Warrior Druid.

  Cillian (KIL ee an) Half-Faerie/Half-human sídhe.

  Colmán (KUL mawn) Vate of All Eire. Amergin’s successor.

  Comhroinn (KOH-rinn) Name of the sharing ceremony that transfers knowledge between Druids.

  Daiko (dy-ko) Japanese drums.

  Daimyo (die-mee-oh) Head of the clan.

  Danú (DA nu) The Goddess worshipped by both Faerie and Druid alike.

  Daoine sídhe (deena shee) ‘People of the Mounds’. Refers to the Faerie race as a whole. Also known as the Tuatha Dé Danann.

  Darragh (DA-ra) Druid prince. One half of the Undivided.

  Deidre (de dreh) Mother of the Undivided.

  Éamonn (AY mun) Elimyer’s latest lover.

  Eblana (e-BLAN-uh) Druid name for Dublin.

  Eburana (eb-oo-rah-nah) Japanese name for Dublin/Eblana in the ori mahou reality.

  eileféin (ella-phane) The alternate reality version of oneself.

  Elimyer (ellie-MY-ah) Trása’s mother. Leanan sídhe who becomes Amergin’s muse.

  Farawyl (farra-will) Druidess and High Priestess of the Barrows

  Futagono Kizuna (foo-tah-goe-noe-kee-noo-zah) The Undivided.

  Gochisosama (go-chee-sosah-mah) Thank you for the meal.

  Hai (HI) Yes.

  Haramaki (ha-ra-ma-kee) Belly protectors containing chain mail or articulated plates of iron made of silk, and lined with various materials.

  Hayato (hi-AH-toe) Head of the samurai charged with protecting the Tanabe Clan’s kozo plantation.

  Hayley Boyle (Hay-lee Boil) Daughter of Patrick Boyle and his first wife, Jane. Step-daughter of Kerry Boyle.

  Higan No Chu-Nichi, (hee-garn-no-choo-nee-chee) Autumn equinox in the ori mahou reality.

  Iie (i-ee) No.

  Ikishuma (ick-ISH-oo-mah) One of the clans of Airurundo.

  Imbolc (im-bolk) Spring equinox.

  Isleen (iz-lean) Empress of the ori mahou realm.

  Itadakimasu (ee-tah-dark-eemar-soo) I gratefully receive.

  Jamaspa (j’MAS puh) Djinni. One of the lords of the Djinn.

  Jotei (joe-tay) Title used when addressing the Empresses.

  Kabuto (kah-boo-toe) Samurai helmet.

  Katsugi (ka-tsu-gi) Lightweight drum played while carried by a strap.

  Kazusa (kah-zoo-sah) Youngest daughter of the Ikishuma clan. Konketsu (kon-ke-tsu) Humans with Faerie blood able to practise folding magic.

  Lá an Dreoilín (lah-ahn-droh-il-een) Also known as Wren Day. The winter solstice. Celebrated on December 26.

  Leanan Sídhe (lan-awn shee) A Faerie muse of exquisite beauty who offers inspiration, fame and glory to an artist in exchange for his life force.

  Leathtiarna (lah teerna) Half-Lord.

  Leipreachán (LEP-ra-cawn) One of the lesser fairies.

  Liaig (lee-aj) Druid Healer.

  Lughnasadh (loon-a-sah) Autumn equinox.

  mahou tsukaino sensei (mah-hoo-tsooo-ky-no-sen-say) Magic master.

  Mara-Warra (MA ra WOR ra) Sea-people also known as the Walrus People.

  Marcroy (MARK-roy) Lord of the Tarth Mound. Elimyer’s brother.

  Máthair (mahar) Mother.

  Merlin (MER-lin) Head Druid in Britain. Second only in power among the Druids to the Vate of All Eire.

  Namito (na-mee-toe) Head of the Ikishuma clan.

  Niamh (neev) Druidess.

  Oceanus Britannicus (o-she-AR-nus-bree-TAN-ee-eoos) Roman name of the English Channel.

  Ori mahou (oree-mah-hoe) Folding magic.

  Orlagh (OR-la) Queen of the Faerie.

  Ossian (Ocean)

  Prionsa (frin-sah) Prince

  Ráth (rar) Ring fort consisting of a circular area enclosed by a timber or stone wall with a ditch on the outside called a cashel.

  Ren (ren) Druid prince. One half of the Undivided.

  Rifuto (ree-foo-toe) Rift.

  Rónán (French variant — Renan) Druid prince; one half of the Undivided.

  Samhain (sow-en) Winter equinox.

  Shàngqīng (shang-ching) The Supreme Pure One — One of the three Chinese Faerie Elders who make up the Brethren.

  Shillelagh (shil-LAY-lee) Short, gnarled, club usually fashioned from a tree root. Commonly made with a knobbed head, they often serve a dual purpose as a walking stick.

  ShimeDaiko (shee-meh dy-ko) Small Japanese drum. Has a short, wide body with thick rawhide on both sides and is tuned by either rope or a bolt.

  Sí an Bhrú (shee-ahn-vroo) Traditional home of the Druids.

  Sídhe (shee) Common name for the Faerie race in general.

  Siũillinn a (shool-leen ah) ‘Walk with us …’ Druid ceremonial chant invoking their gods and goddesses.

  Sorcha (shore-shah) Druid warrior.

  Tàiqīng (tie-ching) The Grand Pure One — One of the three Chinese Faerie Elders who make up the Brethren.

  Tanabe (tan-ah-bee) One of the clans of Airurundo. Teagan (tee-g’n) Empress of the ori mahou realm.

  Tír Na nÓg (tear-na-knowg (with a hard g)) Land of Perpetual Youth. The traditional home of the Tuatha Dé Danann.

  Torcán (TURK awn) Prince of the Celts. Son of Brendá.

  Trása (TRAY-sah) Trása Ni’Amergin. Half-Faerie/half-Druid offspring of Amergin and Elimyer.

  Tuatha Dé Danann (tua day dhanna) Commonly known as the Fae, Faerie or Fairy. Also known as: Children of the Goddess Danú, the True Race, or the Daoine sidhe.

  Uncail (UN cayl) Faerie word for Uncle.

  Vate (VART eh) Druid. Second only in power to the Undivided. Acts as regent when the Undivided are not yet come of age at their ascension to power.

  Wagakimi (wa-goh-kee-me) My lord.

  yabangin (ya-bahn-gin) Savage, feral.

  Youkai (yo-kigh) Faerie.

  Yukata (yoo-kah-tah) Informal, unlined cotton kimono tied with a narrow sash (obi).

  Yùqīng (yoo-ching) The Jade Purity — One of the three Chinese Faerie Elders who make up the Brethren.

  About the Author

  Jennifer Fallon is the author of many bestselling books published in Australia, the US, the UK and in foreign language editions.

  She is a qualified trainer and business consultant with over 20 yea
rs experience in designing and delivering training courses ranging from basic computer training to advanced project management.

  Jennifer lived in the Australian outback for many years, but moved to New Zealand in 2010 and plans to write full-time.

  To find out more about Jennifer Fallon, her books and her writing, visit her website: jenniferfallon.com

  For all the latest news, visit: voyagerblog.com.au

  Books by Jennifer Fallon

  DEMON CHILD TRILOGY

  Medalon (1)

  Treason Keep (2)

  Harshini (3)

  SECOND SONS TRILOGY

  The Lion of Senet (1)

  Eye of the Labyrinth (2)

  Lord of the Shadows (3)

  THE HYTHRUN CHRONICLES

  Wolfblade (1)

  Warrior (2)

  Warlord (3)

  THE TIDE LORDS

  The Immortal Prince (1)

  The Gods of Amyrantha (2)

  The Palace of Impossible Dreams (3)

  The Chaos Crystal (4)

  THE RIFT RUNNERS

  The Undivided (1)

  The Dark Divide (2)

  Copyright

  HarperVoyager

  An imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers

  First published in Australia in 2012

  This edition published in 2012

  by HarperCollinsPublishers Australia Pty Limited

  ABN 36 009 913 517

  harpercollins.com.au

  Copyright © Jennifer Fallon 2012

  The right of Jennifer Fallon to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her under the Copyright Amendment (Moral Rights) Act 2000.

  This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced, copied, scanned, stored in a retrieval system, recorded, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

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